Sound of the State

This edition of the News Brief features legislation filed by State Senators Elgie Sims, Jr. and Julie Morrison, as well as a measure from State Senator Robert Peters to empower survivors of domestic abuse and gender-based violence.

Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus applaud investments into cultural districts, as well as the state's growing film industry, and more, in this edition of the Majority Report.

As the behavioral health workforce continues to drop and patients searching for mental health care is on the rise, State Senator Laura Fine and State Representative Lindsey LaPointe discuss the severity of the shortage and their recommendations to address statewide concerns in this episode of the Sound of the State.

This update from Springfield features news from State Senator Mike Porfirio, with legislation designed to make it easier for military service members to participate in local government service, as well as State Senators Natalie Toro, Omar Aquino, Doris Turner, and Christopher Belt.

Members of the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus respond to Governor JB Pritzker's proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget, covering July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, in this episode of the Sound of the State.

In this edition of the News Brief, State Senator Willie Preston advances legislation affecting food safety in Illinois, plus new legislation is introduced by State Senators Laura Ellman and Natalie Toro pertaining to school lunches and keeping families in their homes longterm.

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford interviews State Senator Natalie Toro in this episode of the Sound of the State, discussing their shared experiences in education, the impact their communities have on their advocacy and their hobbies outside of the Senate.

Senator Doris Turner looks to protect consumers by curbing deceptive practices used by some businesses, while Senator Steve Stadelman advances legislation to give expanded safety to crime victims - those stories and more, in this edition of the Majority Report.

Catch up on legislation from Senator Natalie Toro benefiting renters in Illinois, efforts by Senator Michael Hastings to aid veterans in connecting with careers in state government, and a proposal to increase mental health treatment options from Senator Rachel Ventura in this edition of the News Brief.

Senator Doris Turner joins the Sound of the State along with Dr. Gina Lathan, co-owner and co-CEO of Route History in Springfield to discuss the Black experience along Route 66 and the significance of the infamous road to Black history in America.

The first full week of February saw a flurry of activity for new legislation filed, including bills from State Senators Natalie Toro, Cristina Castro, Michael Hastings, Doris Turner, Omar Aquino, Paul Faraci, and more. Get caught up on what's happening in Springfield with this edition of the Majority Report.

State Senator Doris Turner has filed legislation to protect grieving Illinois families from bad actors in the death care industry. Get that story, plus news from State Senators Julie Morrison and Paul Faraci, in this edition of the News Brief.

Illinois Senate Democrats unveiled a package of bills this week designed to lessen the burden on Illinoisans trying to grow their families through IVF and other fertility preservation methods. Get the details in this edition of the News Brief.

This edition of the News Brief features news from State Senators Doris Turner, Steve Stadelman, and Adriane Johnson, including legislation from Senator Turner to protect consumers from unwanted automatic renewals.

Get news from State Senators Bill Cunningham, Elgie Sims Jr., Dave Koehler, Patrick Joyce, and more, in this edition of the Majority Report.

Senator Dave Koehler joins the Sound of the State to discuss his initiative to give families and children the chance to bring action against health care providers who uses their own human reproductive cells during an assisted reproductive treatment without the patient’s written consent.

State Senator Dave Koehler is leading an effort to give family farms in Illinois help in keeping those farms in the family from generation to generation. Get the details on the Family Farm Preservation Act in this edition of the News Brief.

This edition of the Majority Report features a recap of the year's first joint meeting of the Senate and House Behavioral and Mental Health Committee, as well as reaction from State Senator Cristina Castro to a recent state Supreme Court ruling on pension consolidation, and more.

State Senator Cristina Castro reacts to a recent Illinois Supreme Court decision on pension fund consolidation, State Senator Willie Preston introduces legislation to help make our food safer, and more... in this edition of the News Brief.

State Senator Willie Preston joins the Sound of the State to talk about his recently-introduced measure to prioritize consumer health and safety, banning dangerous food additives routinely found in common supermarket foods.

What’s it like shadowing a senator? Hear from Camdyn Wood-Morris, a senior at Glenwood High School, who spent time with State Senator Doris Turner researching policy initiatives, visiting the police academy and more as part of Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton’s Girls Lead program.

Get updates on the progress of the state's Local Journalism Task Force and Underground Railroad Task Force, as well news from State Senators Natalie Toro and Laura Ellman, in this edition of the News Brief.

The Illinois Senate wrapped up the second full week of the new year with new legislation filed for the 2024 Spring session and new funding opportunities for local chambers of commerce affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Get those stories and more, in this edition of the Majority Report.

Illinoisans considering delaying starting a family could see increased insurance coverage for fertility preservation services, thanks to a new law introduced by State Senator Natalie Toro. Get more on that law, plus new laws which took effect on Jan. 1 from State Senators Adriane Johnson and Karina Villa, in this edition of the News Brief.